Tech

Dell's New XPS Laptops Include Super HD Model, Foldable Design

Dell unveiled a new lineup of XPS laptops on Wednesday, introducing a laptop with an ultra-high-resolution screen and a foldable hybrid design similar to the Lenovo Yoga, as well as updating it popular 13-inch model.

Dell's Sam Burd revealed the new laptops at an event in New York City. Describing the XPS 15 the as the "most powerful XPS laptop ever," Burd said the Windows laptop's screen had a resolution of 3,200 x 1,800, rivaling the display of the Retina MacBook Pro. It can pack the pixels in tight thanks to the Sharp IGZO display tech, which has tinier pixels but doesn't tax battery life as much.

At 4.5 pounds and 0.71 inches thick, the XPS 15 doesn't quite qualify as an Ultrabook, but it actually feels much lighter than you expect a laptop this size to be. Storage options include a 500GB hard disk (enhanced by a 32GB SSD) or 512GB of solid-state storage. It starts at $1,499.99.

The most interesting addition to the line is the XPS 11, which is a foldable hybrid laptop similar to the Lenovo Yoga. Dell has an interesting twist, though, and it's the keyboard: The XPS 11 has a keyboard with flat touch-sensitive keys that don't move when you type — similar to the Microsoft Surface Touch Cover. The ideas is that when you use the machine in tablet mode, you don't get the disconcerting effect of touching keys on the back of your tablet.

Trying out the keyboard at the launch event, I felt it was strange to type on, but not as strange as the Surface Touch Cover. The XPS 11 eases the transition somewhat with audible feedback as you type and very slight haptic feedback. Still, I have to question the design choice, since I imagine buyers would use the product in laptop mode most of the time — although it'll probably get more tablet use than the Yoga, since the XPS is quite a lightweight.

Spec-wise, the XPS 11 has a lot going for it. Dell claims it's the world's lightest and most compact hybrid Ultrabook you can buy, at 2.5 pounds and 0.59 inch thick at its thickest point (some regular laptops, like Sony Vai Pro 11, have it beat, though). The 11.6-inch display is no slouch, either, with a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution. It starts at $999.99.

Finally, the popular XPS 13 gets an upgrade to fourth-generation Intel Core processors ("Haswell"), a full HD (1,920 x 1,080) touchscreen display and longer battery life (up to 10.5 hours). The new XPS 13 starts at $999.99.

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